Arlington National Cemetery is a historic United States military burial ground, in Arlington County, Washington, in whose 624 acres lies the final resting place of the millions of Americans who have died in battle. The cemetery contains not only the skeletal remains of those who have fought on this earth, but also the memorials and monuments that honor the great men and women who have fallen for their country.
History of Arlington National Cemetery
The cemetery was established during the Civil War. The original cemetery was located in what is now Arlington, Virginia. The present Arlington cemetery was built by General George Washington in 1810. A second cemetery was created a little later by President James Madison.
Arlington National cemetery is open to the public every day except Christmas Day. In order to visit the Arlington Memorial, you must be at least eighteen years of age and a resident of Arlington, Virginia. However, if you are traveling in a group of more than twelve people, you will be asked to provide the driver with proof of your identification.
When visiting the cemetery, there are several different places you can go. The oldest part of the cemetery is found along Broad Street in front of Arlington’s City Hall. This area is surrounded by a fence that has a chain link fence.
Visiting the Arlington National Cemetery
In order to access the cemetery, you must pass through a security gate that is guarded by armed guards. You are then able to enter into a large lawn that is filled with granite benches with marble headstones that were placed in place by soldiers who were part of Washington’s army. There is even a small marble statue of the Statue of Liberty overlooking the area where the soldiers rested while waiting for their return home. Here you will find the Arlington Museum.
The Arlington Museum was originally created as a visitor center for the new Arlington national cemetery. Now the museum features hundreds of artifacts and memorabilia related to the American Revolution. The museum also has exhibits that include artifacts associated with Washington’s time as President, including his famous cherry tree and the first Washington monument that he had made from cherry wood.
Nearby
If you are looking for a more peaceful activity, you might like to take a walk through Arlington’s historic neighborhoods. Arlington has a lot of nice restaurants to choose from and you can dine at one of the many fine dining restaurants or cafes. While you are at these restaurants, you might want to stop by the Arlington Theatre, which features a huge screen in the middle of the auditorium where the famous play “Invisible Man” was staged. If you do not have a reservation for a restaurant, you can enjoy live entertainment that can be enjoyed by everyone.
Although you can always drive into the Arlington National cemetery to visit the grave site, it is often easier to go there by train. You can go by train, take a bus, or use the local metro system to get to your destination. You can find many maps on the Internet that will guide you to Arlington’s nearest train station. If you use public transportation such as the Metro or the Virginia Transit Authority, you should take time to explore all of its stops before heading back home.
For some reason, people do not realize how close Arlington National Cemetery actually is to downtown Arlington. If you drive south from the main entrance to the Arlington metro area, it is just a few minutes away. If you walk, you can reach your destination in no time at all.
You may want to check out the Arlington Cemetery Visitor Center if you are a history buff who is interested in learning about the rich history of the Arlington National cemetery. There are informative exhibits inside the center that allow you to learn about the soldiers who once walked through its grounds. Although you cannot touch any of the artifacts that have been placed in place, you can still learn about them by reading the history books that are displayed in the museum.
No matter what you are looking for to do in Arlington, you will not have to go far to find it. Arlington is a great destination in Virginia and you will not regret visiting this beautiful city.